Latest Review
We first wrote about Straton Watch Co. in 2015 when the automotive-inspired brand unveiled its inaugural timepiece, the Vintage Driver Chrono. In the two years since, Straton has honed its aesthetic and expanded its offerings to include a mechanical version of that first watch, which was then followed by the Curve-Chrono (read our review here). Now, Straton is running a Kickstarter campaign for what may be its most refined watch yet—introducing the Syncro chronograph.
The Syncro collection blends the aesthetic of a racing chronograph with that of a dive watch. The end result is firmly ’70s-inspired, with the Syncro feeling very much like a new-vintage piece pulling on numerous historical cues. But even with all that aside, what you have here is a fun timepiece with a rock solid build. Specs include a case that’s rated to 200 meters, a bezel insert made of convex sapphire (and offered in two styles), a domed sapphire crystal sitting over the dial and a choice between two reliable Japanese-made movements.
The Syncro line consists of two movements—a chronograph with Seiko’s mechanical NE88 automatic caliber, and one with Seiko’s VK64 Meca-Quartz movement–both of which can be had in either the 40mm or 44mm case. Beyond that, Straton is also offering five different dial colorways (Versions A-E) with or without date, two different bezel insert options, as well as cases with both classic and PVD finishes. We spent some time with three of the possible combinations: a VK64-powered Version A dial with a block minute dive bezel; and a Version C and E dial–two NE88-powered chronographs both featuring a block minute checkered bezel, the latter with a PVD case. For our full thoughts on the Syncro series, check out the video review below.
